Game Two: #1 Ohio State 24, #2 Texas 7 (9/9/06)

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by footballfanatic

Did Zwick graduate, is he still there, and does anyone think he could turn out to be one of those pro surprises--someone who didn't start but turns out to be a pro star.

he could be a career backup in the NFL, I had no idea Brooks Bollinger would have any future in the league.

[smith10ginn7]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

he could be a career backup in the NFL, I had no idea Brooks Bollinger would have any future in the league.

but Brooks Bollinger was always the starter at Wisconsin and didnt nessecarily do bad at the college level, he had somewhat of experience at a high level going into the NFL.

Zwick is never gonna really get another chance to prove himself even in college unless we get injuries this year.

Zwick is a good backup for Smith though this tear. He might get drafted, but I doubt it.

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

he could be a career backup in the NFL, I had no idea Brooks Bollinger would have any future in the league.

Third string for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets isn't much of a future.

Originally Posted by Vince-anity...oops...inVINCEable

Now taking in all of these thoughts, I would like to know why so many Buckeyes believe your team will score more than 30 points?
(Sorry for the long post)

Very nice post.

I think the biggest factor upon which most OSU folks are counting is the consistency of Troy Smith. When its "clicking" for him, our offense should be pretty close to unstoppable. I really feel like this is the year when it will be "clicking" for him every game.

Of course, this doesn't mean that OSU will score 30 points, but I think that is the key to the higher level of confidence.

[HineyBuck]

Justin Zwick = Ron Maciejowski

Maciejowski was Rex Kern's back-up. Was drafted in 1971. I have never understood the Zwick haters amongst us. He's been nothing but good for us. He's one helluva QB, and if we ever need him next year, I'm glad he's there. Pure Buckeye.

[smith403]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Well, we should've scored about 30 points last year (had our TE Hamby held onto the ball), and that's with us rotating our "starting" QB Zwick (who had two games of PT over the previous 10 months) and Smith (who hadn't seen the field in nine months). Our offense is far ahead of where it was when you guys came to town, and I doubt your defense will be any better with the loss of Huff, Griffin, and Wright.

Agreed...and thanks for getting us back on track...discussion-wise

[smith403]

Tressel will have the Bucks ready to play...So many weapons on offense (Ginn, Gonzo, Pittman, Wells, Smith (arm & feet)...Don't believe there will a significant drop off on defense...plus can't dismiss the "payback" factor

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by footballfanatic

A thought for all of you stat freaks:

A British general once said the following:

"There are three types of lies:
LIES.
BLOODY LIES.
AND STATISTICS."

Using statistics to justify an argument is flawed. It removes all the intangibles from the discussion and tries to quantify what is inherently unmeasurable, IMO.

That quote is incorrectly cited. It is correctly attributed to Benjamin Disraeli - the only man of Jewish extraction to be elected Prime Minister of England.
It also goes thusly ..

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics.”

[MyMamaTastesFunny]

Originally Posted by sandgk

That quote is incorrectly cited. It is correctly attributed to Benjamin Disraeli - the only man of Jewish extraction to be elected Prime Minister of England.
It also goes thusly ..

Thanks for the clarification. It does make more sense coming from a politican.

[sandgk]

Why those two dates?
The first is easy, in the thread title, it is the return game between Ohio State and Texas in Austin.
The second date, for those younger readers, was the return game between Ohio State and Oklahoma - played in Norman OK.

There are some interesting parallels between the two contests.

Home and Away Series Finale
Most obvious, this is the return leg of a first time home and away series between two of college footballs most storied programs.

Shake-ups In The Line-up at Ohio State
In 1983 on defense, Ohio State was sporting several defensive changes. Several assignments had changed, and some players had moved on.
At LB 2 of 3 starters were gone. Marek and Cobb were gone and those were big holes to fill.
In 2006 we have a completely new Linebacker alignment, luckily some possible starters like D'Andrea and Laurinaitis have critical game experience.
In 1983 Ohio State had lost none of its prior year DBs, still there were changes aplenty on the line. Both the RT and DT Foster & Riehm being replaced by Crecelius and Morrill. Like 1983 the 2006 team will likely see new talent or more exposure for the 2005 second string along the line.
As is true in 2006, the Offensive line sees several switches and changes.
Center Pack was replaced by Dooley - and we know that the current line has to fill the hole left by the very good Nick Mangold. Zalenski's LG spot went to the excellent Lowdermilk. Zalenski himself had not gone but was moved over to fill the RG position previously occupied by Lukens in 1982.
At LT Krerowicz filled the spot previously held by Jim Carson. These many changes along the Buckeye O-line were one reason Oklahoma was a pre-season favorite to win this contest in Norman. This season one could argue that there is more constancy than change compared to the '82 to '83 transitions. Perhaps the o-line moves better mirror the bigger shifts the Buckeyes must make on Defense in '06.
These were not the only offensive changes in '83 though.
Most notably a new figure came into the backfield, occupying the tailback spot was a rising star in the form of Keith Byars - shades of these good things to come might be found in Chris Wells, though having Pittman available as a mainstay for the running game provides a comforting contrast.
Lastly, there was a key change in the Wide-outs. Notably departed from the '06 team is Holmes, likewise the '83 squad showed Thad Jemison taking over the role of 3-year starter Gary Williams at Split End. Big shoes to fill for our WR corps then and now!

Surprising Changes in The Opponents Line-Up
There have been several expected changes to graduation and "Professional advancement" in the 'Horns line-up, Huff, Scott, Griffin, Thomas and Wright were predictable elevations to the pro ranks.
Then like now though, the biggest shift in the line-up are the ones that left early, and unexpectedly.
The one story that filled the papers prior to the 9/17 tilt between the Buckeyes and Sooners was not the new talent in Columbus, rather it was the departure of heralded Heisman hopeful Marcus Dupree. Moreover, the manner in which Dupree performed his exit left a (very) bitter taste in the mouth of Sooner fans.
This year we have the unfortunate spectacle of Ramonce Taylor. Details remain unclear, but the gist has it that Taylor invited officers to search his car, in which they found a bag with over 5 pounds of marijuana, a 2-20 felony in Texas. As Taylor had filed complaints about someone breaking a window in his car, it may be argued by his attorneys that the bag was tossed in there by someone else. Possibly to avoid their own detention as authorities were likely to come to pecan farm on which the incident took place in answer to complaints about fighting, in which Taylor himself was involved. Regardless, before the drug story came out Taylor was already in some deep water with his Head Coach Mack Brown. He had been on academic watch if you will. To quote Brown ..

"Ramonce was excused from the team prior to the spring semester to focus on his academics and has not participated in any team functions since that time. We are aware of this recent situation and will follow it as the legal system runs its course. At this time, we will not consider reinstating him to the team."

Yep, sounds messy and it is that messiness that most closely parallels Dupree's tale - in media versions of which he was cruelly pilloried as running home to his mother.
Another parallel, in '83 Switzer was clear that while he would have preferred having Dupree stay the course he was confident in the capabilities of his back-up stable of backs. As this was led by Spencer Tillman I guess he had cause for comfort. (Though, Spencer had a 1,000 yard season in '83 neither he nor Johnson [over 800 yards in '83] were enough to overcome the Buckeyes in Norman).
As if that is insufficient cause for distraction there is the one star player from the Texas backfield that all agree will be sorely missed.
Vince Young.
Whichever way this sliced or diced Vince leaves gargantuan shoes to fill. And, though we are now in May it was clearly a disappointment to Brown when Young elected to forego his senior year and turn pro.
Yep, big changes in the backfield and surprises for the Horns in '06 and the Sooners in '83.

High Rankings
In '83 the Sooners were ranked as high as #2 when they began their tilt with the the #7 nationally ranked Buckeyes in Norman. National Championship aspirations were at stake, much like this year when various publications have either Texas or Ohio State ranked anywhere from #5 to #1.

Hot Air
One delightfully silly parallel is the weather. The contest in Norman was held during a heat wave throughout the Mid-West and into the plains. There was speculation about the effect the heat and humidity might have on the visiting Buckeyes from "cold-weather" Columbus. Were they in fact sufficiently well conditioned to survive such a cauldron? Hopefully, the '83 experience is predictive of the Buckeyes stamina in Austin. Then a mainstay of the team was its impressive line play (did I mention that Lowdermilk was impressive as a starter that year?) Let us hope the '06 squad plays with the solidity and speed of that '83 squad. Regardless, I believe we can dismiss the current talk of the heat and humidity for what it really is, a lot of hot air.

Position on The Schedule
In all cases these contests were the second game for the Big 12 (then Big 8) opponent.

Prior Records & Outcomes
In 1977 Oklahoma came to Columbus for the first contest between both teams, and narrowly won the game 29-28. In 2005 the Buckeyes narrowly lost at home to Texas in their first ever tilt 25-22.
In the return game the more highly touted home favorite Sooners were upended 24-14 in their own house by the visiting Buckeyes.
In 2006? well if the Buckeyes pull off a ten point win in Austin then I and many others will be dancing a jig.

[rocketman]

Pssst...Texas won 25-22...safties count as two points you know.

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by R0CK3TM4NN

Pssst...Texas won 25-22...safties count as two points you know.

What proof read my posts?

Never

Thanks, typo corrected.

[UTMNC]

Anyone thinking the Texas Defense will have a drop off from last year is making a HUGE mistake. The 06 "D" will be as good and probably better. I say after about the second game, the entire nation will be aware of that fact.

[scarletngrey11]

Originally Posted by UTMNC

Anyone thinking the Texas Defense will have a drop off from last year is making a HUGE mistake. The 06 "D" will be as good and probably better. I say after about the second game, the entire nation will be aware of that fact.

The Texas defense quite possibly could be even better this year, but there isnt an analogy in the world that would compare our offense last year for the Texas game to this years offense.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

All I know is that the next 3 months can't go by fast enough.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by UTMNC

Anyone thinking the Texas Defense will have a drop off from last year is making a HUGE mistake. The 06 "D" will be as good and probably better. I say after about the second game, the entire nation will be aware of that fact.

Sorry, but your defense won't be better than last year after losing Huff, Griffin, and Wright.